All of which is to the delight of Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal supporters, who know that Saliba is absolutely fundamental to the club’s title ambitions this season. But there is even better news for the red half of north London: Saliba is actually getting better, especially when he has the ball at his feet.
For the majority of his Arsenal career, Saliba has impressed with his physicality and his intelligence off the ball. In Arteta’s slick system, and alongside his good friend Gabriel, he knows when to push high and when to drop deep. He can handle long balls over his head, or navigate heavy traffic in front of him.
In recent months, however, Saliba has done all of this while adding a new attacking dimension to his game. Previously, his distribution had been straightforward and effective, as he has mostly played short passes to the right flank or into midfield. Now, it seems he is feeling increasingly adventurous and aggressive in possession, taking on opponents and opening up the game.
In some ways, it feels as if the 24-year-old is only just realising how good he is as a technician. This season, he seems to be taking more risks with the ball in tight spaces, trusting himself to weave beyond opponents and start attacks from within Arsenal’s half.
A gorgeous move against Chelsea, in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final, provided a perfect illustration of Saliba’s growing confidence. Receiving possession near the halfway line, under pressure from three opponents, Saliba exchanged passes with Martin Odegaard, dribbled past one Chelsea player and then body-swerved beyond a second. There have been similar examples in games against Manchester United (this weekend’s opponents), Inter Milan, Crystal Palace and many others.
